Edvaneide, better known as Diva, was born in Guarulhos, the second largest city in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Diva's parents were struggling to support their four children as due to an injury Diva’s father was no longer able to work. Therefore, as well as attending school, Diva worked in a pizza restaurant to help her family’s finances.
Diva first heard about the Youth Career Initiative (YCI) through one of her former high school teachers in January 2005 and she immediately expressed her interest in participating in the programme.
The programme In April 2005 YCI Brazil was launched and Diva was one of the 38 young participants who successfully completed the training programme, which consisted of a combination of classes and practical instruction. Diva thoroughly enjoyed her experience at the São Paulo Airport Marriott Hotel during the six months that the programme lasted.
"If it wasn't for this opportunity, I would have never been able to do what I can do today, like taking additional training courses in English and computer sciences that I have paid for myself."
Outcomes At the end of her training, Diva applied for and was offered the position of Restaurant Commis (Assistant) at the Café Deville Restaurant of the São Paulo Airport Marriott Hotel.
In July 2006, after ten months in this position, Diva was promoted to Restaurant Waitress. Diva’s initiative and her persistence and willingness to better herself contributed to a new promotion in September 2007 as Restaurant Hostess, a position that she has held ever since.
Her plans for the future include improving her English, learning Spanish and her dream now is to reach a leadership position within Marriott.